Williams Expresses Concern to Miqati that Cabinet Formation Taking Time

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams on Wednesday expressed support for Premier-designate Najib Miqati lamenting that the cabinet formation process was taking a long time.

“I take this opportunity to express my strong support for Najib Miqati as Prime Minister-designate and his endeavors to form a new government,” Williams said after holding talks with Miqati.

The cabinet formation process is “taking such a long time,” he said, adding “I very much want to see Prime Minister-designate Miqati successful in his efforts to form a new government as soon as possible.”

On the issue of illegal construction on state property, Williams said that Miqati was concerned about building violations.

He said that they also discussed the fate of the seven Estonian cyclists who were kidnapped in the Bekaa Valley in March. “I take this occasion again to appeal on humanitarian grounds for their immediate release.”

About southern Lebanon, the diplomat told reporters that the situation in the south was stable and the atmosphere on the Blue Line was satisfactory.